Passing on the Message

Early in the morning, the air was fresh and crisp.

Xue Ying exited the castle through the main entrance, and the soldiers guarding the door excitedly puffed up their chests, greeting, "My Lord!"

Xue Ying recognized several familiar faces among them.

He wandered without purpose towards the peak of Snowrock Mountain, admiring the beautiful scenery below the rocky cliffs, with its many villages and the rushing Azure River, like a band of white silk spread across the distance.

Xue Ying took a deep breath, relishing the fresh, familiar air. It was so much cleaner than the one he’d had to breathe underground, in the great hall of Black-Wind Deity Palace. He could smell the fragrance of flowers and the earthy scent of the ground.

"My Lord," said a voice.

Xue Ying turned around to look at the Great Mage Bai Yuan Zhi, who was coming his way.

"Great Mage." Xue Ying still held deep respect for his little brother’s teacher.